Don’t miss important updates and actions toward the bottom of this page!
What is a Boundary Study and why is it taking place?
A Boundary Study is a review of school boundaries and school assignments to determine which addresses attend which schools. These studies occur periodically based on available facilities and student enrollment.
MCPS is conducting a Boundary Study due to the reopening Charles W. Woodward High School on Old Georgetown Road for the 2027–2028 academic year. With a capacity of 2,159 students, the reopening aims to alleviate overcrowding in local high schools, including Blair, Walter Johnson, Einstein, and Wheaton. You can read about the Boundary Study Scope recommendation to determine the service area for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School here.
Does the Boundary Study impact Wood Acres Elementary School?
No. The Boundary Study does not affect any elementary schools.
Which schools are impacted by the Boundary Study?
The following middle schools are affected: Pyle, Argyle, Parkland, Sligo, Eastern, Takoma Park, Loiederman, Shannon, Tilden, Newport Mill, Silver Creek, Westland, North Bethesda, and Silver Spring International.
The following high schools are affected: Whitman, Walter Johnson, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Wheaton, Blair, Kennedy, Einstein, and Northwood.
Below is a video from MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor explaining the scope of the Boundary Study:
Below is a video from the MCPS Board of Education Meeting on 3/19/25 on the MCPS Boundary Studies and Program Analysis Update:
Will Wood Acres Elementary School continue to send students to Pyle and then Whitman?
This is currently unknown. The Boundary Study results for Charles W. Woodward High School will determine whether the Wood Acres/Pyle/Whitman cluster remains unchanged.
Who is conducting the boundary study?
MCPS has engaged FLO Analytics to to conduct and facilitate the boundary study.
What happens next?
MCPS will begin their onboarding experiences with FLO Analytics to identify the timeline and initial approach. They will begin to share expectations for engagement and ongoing communication with their stakeholders, including students, staff, families, and the community.
What is the expected timeline for the Boundary Study?
MCPS latest available timeline is below (note these dates are subject to change):
April 2025: Initial Information Community Meeting Sessions Initial Survey
May-June 2025: Community Meeting Sessions Initial Options Survey
July-August 2025: Synthesize Feedback & Refine Options
September 2025: Community Meeting Sessions Refined Options Survey
October-November 2025: Synthesize Feedback & Further Refine Options*
December 2025: Option Development for Superintendent Recommendations
This is a flexible timeline provided by MCPS that will be revisited as the boundary studies progress.*
How can you provide input and impact the process?
The best way to influence the process is to stay informed and attend the public hearings. Updates will be provided on this webpage as information becomes available.
Additionally, a committee of interested parents will be formed to monitor the Boundary Study’s progress and keep the Wood Acres Elementary School community informed. If you are interested in joining the committee please sign up on this form. If you have any questions, please email: wildcatanswers@gmail.com
What are the priorities for the boundary study?
MCPS is considering four primary factors when determining and modifying school boundaries:
Demographic characteristics of the student population
Geography
Stability of school assignments over time
Facility utilization
These factors ensure that boundary decisions promote diversity, consider proximity, maintain consistent school assignments, and optimize the use of school facilities.
MCPS Resources
For more detailed information, including the scope of the study, timelines, and opportunities for community involvement, please visit the MCPS Boundary Study webpage.
update from 12/3/25
The options for realignment can be found HERE. Upon reviewing the options for the Reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School and Expansion of Northwood High School Boundary Study, we learned that the Wood Acres Elementary School shifts to Westland MS and Bethesda Chevy-Chase HS in Option F. While Wood Acres Elementary School is only impacted in 1 of 7 options, it is vital that our voices are heard by sharing our sentiment via the available survey link. The PTA is in communication with the Board of Education and will be updating our school community on next steps.
Option F considerations:
Establishes 9 of 13 middle schools under 80% utilization, making Option F the least 'balanced' option for middle school capacity
Removes a school (Bethesda ES) in the walk zone for BCC, and replaces it with one (Wood Acres ES) not in the walk zone. WAES could never be within the walk zone of BCC due to major roads that sit between it and BCC
How you can help:
Submit your feedback directly to Montgomery County Schools via the survey.
TIPS on SURVEY: Focus on proximity to Walt Whitman High School and utilization of facilities. Avoid statements referencing personal financial expectations, such as property values, as past boundary opposition case in other regions have been negatively impacted by this type of reasoning. Please read the below suggested response and personalize.
I firmly and unequivocally oppose Option F for the following reasons:
1. Option F places an undue burden on families and our bus system in the transportation of Wood Acres ES and Bethesda ES students to high school.
Option F removes Bethesda ES from the walk zone for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (B-CC) and replaces it with Wood Acres ES, which is not walkable to B-CC because of major roads that separate it from B-CC. Option F removes an entire neighborhood in the Wood Acres Elementary school district from Walt Whitman High School's walk zone and reroutes it to B-CC. Current Wood Acres bus routes will double their distance and travel time to transport students to B-CC. Busing Bethesda ES students to Walt Whitman High School and doubling travel time and distance of Wood Acres ES to B-CC will lead to significantly increased transportation costs for MCPS and contradicts MCPS's adopted environmental policies. Moreover, Option F will trigger safety issues for students who will walk or drive a long distance in rush hour traffic. Option F is a direct contradiction of MCPS outlined priorities of safe and efficient transportation and reasonable proximity to schools.
2. Option F fails to implement efficient facility utilization.
Option F places nine of thirteen middle schools under 80 percent utilization, contradicting the boundary study priority of efficient utilization and is thereby fiscally irresponsible.
3. Option F causes instability for families and students.
Moving two of the largest elementary schools in the region, Wood Acres ES and Bethesda ES, severs long standing connections that students rely on for academic success and emotional well-being. Option F disregards that without offering a meaningful benefit in return.
By contrast, options E and G prioritize student safety, walkability, student stability, bus transportation efficiency and responsible facility utilization. MCPS should reject Option F and select an option that advances the core objectives of this process.
If you would like to be a grade level liaison during this process, please email waesprez@gmail.com
Please include your name, your child's teacher and grade level and your neighborhood. Grade level liaisons can help disseminate updates via email, text threads and grade level WhatsApp chains.